veil

1a covering of very thin, transparent material worn, especially by women, to protect or hide the face, or as part of a hat, etc.a bridal veil

2a piece of cloth worn by nuns over the head and shoulders

3[singular](formal)something that stops you from learning the truth about a situationTheir work is carried out behind a veil of secrecy.It would be better to draw a veil over what happened next (= not talk about it).

4[singular](formal)a thin layer that stops you from seeing somethingThe mountain tops were hidden beneath a veil of mist.

5the veil[singular]the religious system under which Muslim women must wear head coverings in publicthe history of the veil in Islamsynonymhijab